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Laidout

Free#19 of 29 in Desktop Publishing Software

Laidout: A focused free tool for Linux users arranging pages for booklets, signatures, and print layouts. Ranked #19 of 29 in Desktop Publishing Software by our editors (6.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free Linux imposition and booklet work.

6.9/10Editor score

Visit Laidout

Laidout6.9 Visit Laidout

At a glance

Editor score
6.9 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Free Linux imposition and booklet work
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
Founded
2006
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Supports singles, signatures, booklets, nets, and spread rearrangement
- Exports to PDF, SVG, images, Scribus, HTML galleries, and PostScript
- Offers command-line batch processing and export scripting
Where it doesn't
- Linux is the only officially supported platform
- Does not include master pages, preflight tools, or color management
- Conventional desktop-publishing features remain planned or incomplete

Our verdict on Laidout

Laidout is open-source desktop publishing software focused on arranging pages into physical impositions for booklets, folded materials, nets, and other print layouts. It is intended for Linux users who need control over page order, spreads, signatures, and print-oriented layouts rather than a broad general-purpose DTP environment. The software also includes path, alignment, node, and text-on-path tools, along with configurable page-label numbering styles.

Its standout capability is imposition. Users can work with singles, signatures, booklets, and nets, then rearrange page order in the spread editor. Laidout supports importing SVG, images, Scribus files, OFF, and PDF, while export options include PDF, SVG, images, Scribus, HTML galleries, and PostScript. Command-line batch processing and export scripting add value for repeatable workflows. Integration is focused rather than broad, with Scribus support and importable GIMP color palettes.

Laidout is free and distributed as open-source software, making it a practical choice when Linux compatibility and imposition matter more than a complete commercial publishing feature set. The published feature set does not include master pages, preflight tools, or color management, and the software is described as experimental and actively developed. Linux is the only officially supported platform; macOS and Windows require workarounds or are unsupported. Choose Laidout for booklet production, signature planning, and scripted page arrangement on Linux. Choose another desktop-publishing application if you need conventional page-template features, production preflight, color management, or broader platform support.

Your product? Our editors can test Laidout in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Laidout pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on laidout.org

Laidout fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Supported platforms	Linux
PDF export	Yes
EPUB export	Not verified
Master pages	No
Preflight tools	No
Color management	No
Collaboration level	Not verified
Deployment	Desktop
Platforms	Linux
Support	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business (editorial estimate)
Integrations	2 integrations: Scribus, GIMP palettes
Pricing	Free plan
Website	laidout.org
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

Laidout integrations

Laidout lists 2 integrations on its own site.

Scribus
GIMP palettes

Alternatives to Laidout

See all Laidout alternatives →

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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Laidout for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.

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Featured on iTechGuides

Laidout is listed in our Desktop Publishing Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update